Life As A Dad, And A Survivor

Somewhere Between (The Movie)

The movie “Somewhere Between” is due for DVD release in the beginning of February, 2013.

Last Friday night, Wendy and I got to be a part of something special. Actually, it started out as Wendy and Madison. We went to see a movie last Friday night, down in Philaelphia to see a movie that was in limited release at the Landmark Ritz on the Bourse. It was called “Somewhere Between”.

Somewhere Between is a documentary about four very young women, all adopted from China at infant or toddler ages, and had all become young adult females. The film deals with the emotional issues facing the four young women while at the same time, provoking conversation with hundreds of thousands of other adoptees and their families.

We were initially introduced to this project many years ago. Ann, one of the features in the movie was a middle school teenager who lived up the street from us. She also happened to have been adopted from the same province in China as both of my daughters were. Ann was involved in an adoption support group called “Global Girls” which literally reached out to other Chinese adoptees across the globe. Ann had organized an informational gathering at our local library, and knew that there were children from China living down the street from her. Always enthusiastic about having our daughters involved with events and the Chinese culture, we gave our RSVP. Ann had given us some sort of “warning” that someone might be filming for a documentary, just so that we were aware. It never raised any kind of concern out of us, in fact, we never saw any camera. But it was there.

Several years later, we received a phone call from Ann’s mother, Kathy. Kathy wanted to inform us about a movie that was being produced and included footage from the meeting that we had attended years ago. I was not really sure what she was talking about at that time, but she was happy to send me the internet link to see the trailer for this movie, now titled “Somewhere Between”. As expected, when viewing, we saw footage of the girls that the film was about, scenery of the Chinese countryside, and some filming of their current home towns. And then the trailer go to Ann’s hometown. She was in color guard in school marching in a parade. Then she is walking through the library past a table with a little girl sitting with her mother. It is Madison at three years old with Wendy. And then I hear, “Where are you from” from Madison. Ann responds, “I’m from China.” Madison answers, “Me too. I’m from China.”

With no major stakes in the film itself, it still felt like forever that this movie would come out. Finally, the film was released to select independent theaters and we got to see it last night. There were a lot of people interested in seeing this movie, but for us, we had a personal interest in it. I am sure Wendy may have been a little nervous about being seen on the big screen, but there was a ton of pride in me. And then the theater went dark. Some previews were shown, and then the movie began.

Just like watching the trailer, we had anticipation. After all of the young women were introduced along with their stories, there were Madison and Wendy. The theater was quiet as everyone was drawn to the images on the screen. And then Madison gave her line. A huge rush of happiness came over us, as we heard most of the theater respond with a chorus of “awwwww”. The movie was much more than just a proud moment for Wendy and I. The movie was an opportunity to learn that we have more to learn about being parents to Madison and Emmalie as they grow older. Unlike biological children, adopted children (especially intenationally adopted children) are probably much more likely to develop identity issues, realize abandonment issues, as well as possibly deal with the ignorance that some people have in expressing comments about bi-ethnic families.

I will admit that plenty of tears were shed watching this movie, Wendy cried so much more. We have talked about a heritage tour for the girls, and after seeing this movie, we realize just how important that decision will be to our daughters. I will not spoil the movie as there are still premiers occurring across the country, and a DVD will hopefully be made available in February. Younger children should not probably see this film as there are quite a bit of serious issues to deal with and understand. Even for teenagers, it may be difficult for them to view. But it is definitely for parents, of any adopted child not just from China, to see this film.

If you would like to see the trailer, go to www.somewherebetweenmovie.com and click on the trailer. At about the :47 mark is where Madison makes her cameo.

Ann, we really do not know you that well, but by chance you came into our lives, and taught us perhaps one of the most important lessons with Madison and Emmalie. We are hopeful that we will be better prepared for them when that time comes. And Linda, thank you for putting this project together.